Opposition Lowdown: Kevin Nolan's Northampton Town

12/04/2025 10:23

Reading travel to Northampton this weekend as we enter the home straight of the season, looking to hold onto that final playoff spot. Join us as we take a closer look at the opposition.

Form

Northampton Town finished 14th in League One last season in their first campaign back in the third tier, following their promotion in 2023, when they finished third in League Two. They ended last season 16 points away from both the playoffs and the relegation zone.

The Cobblers currently sit 19th in the table after 11 wins, 13 draws and 17 losses, sitting seven points above the relegation zone. Their recent form has been mixed, having seen one win, two draws and two losses in their last five games, while they have only seen one win in their last six home games.

They do however come into this weekend's game off the back of an impressive 0-4 away win at Peterborough United last weekend. The two sides met on Boxing Day last year with Reading claiming a 4-1 home win after goals from Harvey Knibbs, Sam Smith, Charlie Savage and Mamadi Camara.

The boss

Kevin Nolan: Nolan was appointed Northampton manager two days before Christmas, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Cobblers. He replaced Jon Brady who resigned from his post after three and a half years in charge.

Former midfielder Nolan had a 19-year career as a player, representing Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and West Ham United. He joined Leyton Orient in January 2016, signing as a player-manager, but was sacked less than three months later.

He went on to join Notts County as manager in January 2017 and guided the side to safety in League Two in his first season. Nolan led County to a fifth-placed finish in his first full season but was sacked in August 2018. In 2020 he went on to join David Moyes' coaching team at West Ham, where he stayed until his departure in May last year. The 42-year-old had a spell as assistant head coach of the England under-20 team before taking over the reigns at Northampton.

Nolan has won six of his 20 games in charge of the Cobblers so far, giving him a win percentage of 30%. He likes his side to play intense, high-energy football.

Squad

Northampton signed four players during the winter transfer window, with one permanent arrival and three players arriving on loan.

Midfielder Liam Shaw joined the Cobblers on a permanent deal from Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee. Northampton's loans included midfielders Terry Taylor and Ben Perry, who joined from Charlton Athletic and Nottingham Forest, while striker Dara Costelloe signed from Championship Burnley.

January addition Shaw has been ruled out for the rest of the season, while Patrick Brough is also unavailable as he recovers from a broken leg.

Predicted lineup

Burge, Eyoma, Mbete, Guinness-Walker, McGowan, Pinnock, McGeehan, Taylor, Hoskins, Eaves, Costelloe

Key player

7. Sam Hoskins: Forward Hoskins has been at Northampton for almost 10 years, having signed for the club in August 2015, joining on a free transfer following the end of his contract at Yeovil Town.

Hoskins started his career in the youth setup at Southampton, only making three first-team appearances for the club, but did spend time on loan at Preston North End, Rotherham United and Stevenage. He joined Yeovil Town on a permanent deal in 2013 and spent two seasons with the Glovers, but he struggled to become a first-team starter.

Since joining Northampton in 2015, Hoskins has made 416 appearances for the club, scoring 99 goals. Seven of those have come this season, with Hoskins scoring twice in their most recent game against Peterborough.

He has also picked up a League Two player of the season award while with the Cobblers, securing a place in the league team of the year. Hoskins is a versatile forward who can play as a striker, number 10 or on the wing.

One to watch

16. Terry Taylor: Midfielder Taylor joined Northampton on loan for the second half of the season in the January transfer window, signing from Charlton Athletic.

Taylor started his career in the youth teams of Aberdeen and Wolverhampton Wanderers, making his professional debut in 2019. He went on to join Burton Albion on a permanent deal in 2021, spending almost two and a half years there, making 69 appearances for the Brewers.

A move to Charlton followed in 2023, but Taylor has found first-team appearances hard to come by, hence his temporary move to the Cobblers. The 23-year-old has started every game for the club since joining and has one goal and two assists to his name.

Taylor has represented the youth teams of both Scotland and Wales and has 11 Wales under-21 caps to his name. Taylor is a defensive midfielder who is an effective set-piece taker and tackler.